American aircraft

The E-4B serves as the National Airborne Operations Center for the National Command
Authorities. In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command control
centers, the aircraft provides a modern, highly survivable, command, control and
communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate
actions by civil authorities. Air Combat Command (ACC) is the Air Force single-resource
manager for the E-4B, and provides aircrew, maintenance, security and communications
support. The Joint Chiefs of Staff actually control E-4B operations and provide personnel
for the airborne operations center.

The E-4B, a militarized version of the Boeing 747-200, is a four-engine, swept-wing,
long-range, high-altitude airplane capable of being refueled in flight. Its larger size
provides approximately triple the floor space of the earlier EC-135 command post. The main
deck is divided into six functional areas: a National Command Authorities' work area,
conference room, briefing room, an operations team work area, and communications and rest
areas. An E-4B crew may include up to 114 people, including a joint-service operations
team, an ACC flight crew, a maintenance and security component, a communications team and
selected augmentees. The E-4B has electromagnetic pulse protection, an electrical system
designed to support advanced electronics and a wide variety of new communications
equipment. Other improvements include nuclear and thermal effects shielding, acoustic
control, an improved technical control facility and an upgraded air-conditioning system
for cooling electrical components.

An advanced satellite communications system improves worldwide communications among
strategic and tactical satellite systems and the airborne operations center. To provide
direct support to the National Command Authorities, at least one E-4B is always on alert
at one of many selected bases throughout the world. The E-4B evolved from the E-4A, which
had been in service since late 1974. The first B model was delivered to the Air Force in
January 1980, and by 1985 all aircraft were converted to B models. All E-4B are assigned
to the 55th Wing, Offutt
Air Force Base, Neb. In August 1994, the E-4B assumed an additional role. With the
approval of JCS chairman, the E-4B will support the Federal Emergency Management Agency's
request for assistance when a natural disaster, such as hurricane, typhoon or earthquake
occurs. The E-4B would be tasked to fly the FEMA Emergency Response to the disaster site,
and become the FEMA command and control center until the emergency team's own equipment
and facilities can be set up. With E-4B support the emergency team's response is a matter
of hours as opposed to days.

General characteristics

Primary function

Airborne operations center

Contractor

Boeing Aerospace Co.

Power plant

Four General Electric CF6-50E2 turbofan engines

Thrust

4x 52,500 lb

4x 233.53 kN

Length

231 ft 4 in

70.5 m

Wingspan

195 ft 8 in

59.7 m

Height

63 ft 5 in

19.3 m

Max. takeoff weight

800,000 lb

360,000 kg

Endurance

12 hours (unrefueled)

Ceiling

30,000 ft

9,144 m

Unit cost

$258 million

Crew

Up to 114

Date deployed

January 1980

Inventory

Active force, 4; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0

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